Burma far far far away

January 8, 20113 comments

Burma, so far: Bagan – Mandalay – Inle Lake

I am writing with a poor internet connection from the shores of Inle Lake in Central Burma. It’s our 6th day in the country and we are now well adjusted to the pace of travelling with Marcelo and Amalya. The children love it so far, as much as we do.

Lots of mixed feelings though. The people are incredibly kind and generous of their genuine smiles. We feel extremely far away from everything (our mobile phones don’t work, and this is the first semi-proper internet connection in a week). And we have seen many beautiful places. Ceki loved Bagan for its 2,200 pagodas. We had fun in the city of Mandalay and I love Inle lake for the serenity of the place. Marcelo and Amalya seem to enjoy almost every bit of the trip. But it’s taken me a while to see beyond the fact that we are in one of the harshest dictatures in the world. I have been to Cuba, Zimbabwe and other dicatorial states before, but never have I sensed such feelings of oppression. It’s on many people’s faces. So it’s hard. It’s a tremendously eye-opening voyage.

Amalya went from arms to arms! A lovely woman, her face covered with Thanaka powder, held her at sunset in Bagan. All children and women wear this natural wonder powder on their face in Burma, it protects from the sun and has many other benefits for the skin.

I will write more, with photos when the connection is better, somewhere else…

3 comments

It sounds like you have no choice but to live and disconnect over there. I’m not sure I would do well in a country where hardship is everywhere. I would feel too guilty. However, I’m sure there are positive things in that part of the world as much as there are the negatives. Already, the positives that you noticed: the wonderful people. There is still hope! Happy New Year Vanessa, to you and your family!

Hope you guys enjoy the trip despite the hardships which I am sure are hard to imagine without being there. I think the spirituality of the place must overcome most of the negative sights. By the way, I (and most cubans living there) would say Cuba is not a dictatorship, but is in the state it is in due to dictatorship in a nearby country. I’m sure we can have lively discussions on that when you are back:-)